Yesterday, social media in Morocco reacted negatively to the announcement of the ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in Marrakech and Berkane.The news had a ripple effect across the country. After the rumour circulated that the ban would be extended to include outlets like Carrefour in Fez, shoppers were quick to stock up. At 10am Carrefour opened its doors as usual and staff told customers that the rumour was false and that alcohol sales were not to be curtailed.
After some investigation, it appears that there actually had been a ban imposed, but that it was hastily withdrawn after reaction on social media. Indeed, the wilaya of Marrakech had prohibited alcohol sales from Tuesday, March 31, 2020 until further notice. However, The Economist reported that after reflection, a second decree was issued to cancel the first.
The sale of alcoholic beverages in Marrakech will therefore continue normally and the alcohol outlets will not close. However, they must respect the measures taken by the government as well as the defined opening and closing hours. The authorities of the wilaya of Marrakech have decided to reduce the opening hours of local and popular markets (Souikas) to 6 am, as a preventive measure to stem the spread of the new coronavirus (Covid-19).
In this context, the wali of the Marrakech-Safi region, governor of the prefecture of Marrakech, Karim Kassi Lahlou has issued a decision which fixes the opening hours of these sales spaces from 7 am until 1 pm, at the level from the prefecture of Marrakech, 6 hours a day.
Anyone who violates the provisions of the said regulations will be prohibited from exercising their profession and will be subject to legal proceedings, as set out by the laws in force. The implementation of this exceptional decision will be entrusted to the local authorities and to the services of the National Security and the Royal Gendarmerie, until the lifting of the state of health emergency.
SHARE THIS!
No comments:
Post a Comment